When the Nashville Predators traded Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens, they got in Justin Barron a talented young defenseman who had lost confidence in his abilities. And this is exactly what we observe during his first matches with his new team.
The journalist assigned to cover the Predators for the daily The TennesseanAlex Daugherty, candidly admitted on
Contacted privately by TVA Sports, Daugherty explained the game of the right-handed defender. If he was more nuanced than on his social networks, he had no choice in calling a spade a spade: Barron is a player who is looking for himself.
“In the last two games, he was just lost,” he observed. At one point, he was orchestrating an attack with two attackers behind him, and you could see that Roman Josi was frustrated. That’s his job, not Barron’s.”
Context: Predators head coach Andrew Brunette prefers that defenders not venture out and instead make quick passes to wingers. But Josi naturally has special permission. Permission that Barron does not have.
“He makes funny decisions. But for now, let’s call it a period of adjustment,” Daugherty said.
Barron only played five games with the Predators after all. With his confidence fragile, he becomes familiar with a new gaming system.
“I will point out that he is an excellent skater. He can play with the puck. The skills are there,” mentioned the journalist.
The Preds will be patient
By getting rid of Carrier, the Predators were already sending the signal that they were resigning for the 2024-2025 season. Thus, the organization was not counting on an immediate impact from Barron within the training.
Rather, she felt she could develop a defender with interesting skills, as she has done with some success in recent years.
“He was left out for a few games, since they see him as a long-term project,” Daugherty said. It was planned in advance that he would be the seventh defender. At the moment, he is playing because Adam Wilsby and Jérémy Lauzon are injured.
According to our speaker, the hierarchy of defenders in the Predators organization chart at the moment, “in terms of importance”, is as follows:
to sew
Shit
Wilsby
Lauzon
Stastney
Mill road
Blankenburg
Schenn
Barron
Gibson
Del Gaizo
And Barron could even polish his weapons in Milwaukee, in the American League, next season.
“Especially when you consider Tanner Molendyk coming in,” Daugherty added. Barron, however, is expected to go on waivers. It’s a think about it.
If it had to be decided immediately, there would be no debate: Kent Hughes is guilty of shoplifting. But for the Predators, who no longer believe in their chances of making the playoffs this season, that has little importance.
